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211+ Initial L Speech Therapy Words for Articulation

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Do you have a child or student in speech therapy who is working on their l speech sounds in the initial position? If you answered yes, then this post is just what you need! It has over 200 initial l words for speech therapy that will help strengthen your child or student’s l sound. 

Initial L Words Speech Therapy

Speech-language pathologists who love word lists with multiple speech productions are sure to enjoy this list below.

initial-l-words-speech-therapy

Target Words:

Here’s a list of initial l articulation sounds for a speech therapist to use during a therapy session or simply use this list for at home practice to work on your child’s new skill.

  • For Example: lake, lime, liquid, line, lost, love, like, liver, lot, lazer, laminate, leave, left, loft, lucky

See full list of words, phrases, and sentences below.

Grab my one page freebie of initial sounds below. Simply scroll to the bottom of this post and grab your free copy!

initial-l-words-list

Word Positions: Final L Words Speech Therapy 

Beginning of Words

The l sound at the beginning of a word. For example, “look” or “live”.

Medial Position of Words

The l sound in the medial position of a word, such as “umbrella”, “buffalo”, and “hillside”.

Final Positions

Final l words are when the target sound is at the end of a word. For example, “sale” or “hill”.

Correct Tongue Placement

The best place to start is with the placement of your tongue. 

Start by placing the tip of your tongue on the small bump (the alveolar ridge) behind your front teeth.

Then allow air to pass on the sides of your mouth while making your l sound “loud” which will turn on your voice box.

You will know when your voice box is turned on by touching your neck to feel the vibration.

If your child or student is still struggling to produce the initial l sound you can provide them with a tactile cue. A great way to provide a tactile cue is to place a tongue depressor on the small bump behind your child or student’s top teeth.

Another idea is to place some peanut butter on the bump behind your child or student’s front teeth and have the child take a lick of peanut butter while producing the l sound.  

A great place to find a visual cue for your child or student is here: Play with Dough Tongue Placement Sheets created by Peachie Speechie – Simply grab some play dough and start creating your very own visual cue!

initial-l-words-pictures

Initial L Words Speech Therapy

  • 1 Syllable: lake, lime, lane, lost, love, like, lot, left, loft, leg, lamb, log, lip, look, lamp, lock, leaf, lion, lid, land, life, lace, late, lab, lap, lack, laid, lawn, last, lead, lean, leap, left, lice, lend, lens, less, lick, limb, line, link, lint, load, loaf, loan, loft, long, loop, loud, luck, lump, lung, latch, laugh, learn, leash, leave, least, ledge, limp, lodge, loose, low, lunch, lunge, launch, league, leaves, length
  • 2 Syllable: llama, lava, lazy, liar, lady, lily, logo, label, labor, ladder, larva, laser, lasso, later, latex, layer, leaky, legal, legit, lemon, level, lever, lilac, limit, liter, lobby, logic, lucky, lyric, ladle, landed, lawyer, leader, layoff, layout, legend, lenses, linens, linger, liquid, litter, little, lively, liver, lizard, local, lonely, loosen, lovely, lumber, lactose, lantern, layered, lawsuit, layover, leading, leaking, leaning, leather, leisure, license, liftoff, limeade, lineman, longest, lookout, luggage, lacrosse, ladylike, lakeside, landfall, lamppost, landfill, landlord, landmark, landslide, laughter, leapfrog, lecture, leggings, lifetime, lukewarm, luncheon, lampshade, lifeguard, lifeboat, lifesaver, lightning, lighthouse, lipsync, livestream, lunchmeat, lunchroom, loungewear
  • 3 Syllable: legacy, luxury, ladybug, lasagna, leotard, liberty, library, limited, locally, logical, lollipop, lullaby, laminate, latitude, longitude, layaway, laziness, lethargic, likeable, lopsided, loveable, lavender, lawnmower, licorice, limitless, lowercase, leprechaun, letterhead, lubricate, landscaping, loudspeaker, lighthearted, lightheaded
  • 4 Syllable: legendary, leniency, leukemia, literacy, laminator, librarian, luxurious, legislator, legitimate, limitation, levelheaded, leatherjacket, locomotives
  • 5 Syllable: Louisiana, laboratory, liability
  • 6 Syllable: liberalization

Practice in Flash Card Mode Right Here from Your Computer!

initial-l-lamp
initial-l-lack
initial-l-lake
initial-l-last
initial-l-lens
initial-l-lady
initial-l-land
initial-l-lid
initial-l-lane
initial-l-lice
initial-l-like
initial-l-late
initial-l-line
initial-l-leap
initial-l-loan
initial-l-log
initial-l-laid
initial-l-lime
initial-l-lend
initial-l-lace
initial-l-lap
initial-l-limb
initial-l-lab
initial-l-lean
initial-l-lint
initial-l-lead
initial-l-lost
initial-l-left
initial-l-left (2)
initial-l-lawn
initial-l-leaf
initial-l-love
initial-l-lamb
initial-l-lion
initial-l-long
initial-l-look
initial-l-leg
initial-l-loaf
initial-l-loft
initial-l-loud
initial-l-loft (2)
initial-l-lip
initial-l-load
initial-l-loop
initial-l-lick
initial-l-link
initial-l-luck
initial-l-lot
initial-l-lock
initial-l-less
initial-l-lamp initial-l-lack initial-l-lake initial-l-last initial-l-lens initial-l-lady initial-l-land initial-l-lid initial-l-lane initial-l-lice initial-l-like initial-l-late initial-l-line initial-l-leap initial-l-loan initial-l-log initial-l-laid initial-l-lime initial-l-lend initial-l-lace initial-l-lap initial-l-limb initial-l-lab initial-l-lean initial-l-lint initial-l-lead initial-l-lost initial-l-left initial-l-left (2) initial-l-lawn initial-l-leaf initial-l-love initial-l-lamb initial-l-lion initial-l-long initial-l-look initial-l-leg initial-l-loaf initial-l-loft initial-l-loud initial-l-loft (2) initial-l-lip initial-l-load initial-l-loop initial-l-lick initial-l-link initial-l-luck initial-l-lot initial-l-lock initial-l-less

Initial L Words Speech Therapy

1 Syllable2 Syllable3 Syllable
lakellamalegacy
limelavaluxury
lanelazyladybug
lostliarlasagna
loveladyleotard
likelilyliberty
lotlogolibrary
leftlabellimited
loftlaborlocally
legladderlogical
lamblarvalollipop
loglaserlullaby
liplassolaminate
looklaterlatitude
lamplatexlongitude
locklayerlayaway
leafleakylaziness
lionlegallethargic
lidlegitlikeable
landlemonlopsided
ladylevelloveable
laceleverlavender
latelilaclawnmower
lablimitlicorice
lapliterlimitless
lacklobbylowercase
laidlogicleprechaun
lawnluckyletterhead
lastlyriclubricate
leadladlelandscaping
leanlandedloudspeaker
leaplawyerlighthearted
leftleaderlightheaded
licelayoff
lendlayout
lenslegend
lesslenses
licklinens
limblinger
lineliquid
linklitter
lintlittle
loadlively
loafliver
loanlizard
loftlocal
longlonely
looploosen
loudlovely
lucklumber
lumplactose
lunglantern
latchlayered
laughlawsuit
learnlayover
leashleading
leaveleaking
leastleaning
ledgeleather
limpleisure
lodgelicense
looseliftoff
lowlimeade
lunchlineman
lungelongest
launchlookout
leagueluggage
leaveslacrosse
lengthladylike
lakeside
landfall
lamppost
landfill
landlord
landmark
landslide
laughter
leapfrog
lecture
leggings
lifetime
lukewarm
luncheon
lampshade
lifeguard
lifeboat
lifesaver
lightning
lighthouse
lipsync
livestream
lunchmeat
lunchroom
loungewear
4 Syllable5 Syllable6 Syllable
legendaryLouisianaliberalization
leniencylaboratory
leukemialiability
literacy
laminator
librarian
luxurious
legislator
legitimate
limitation
levelheaded
locomotives
initial-l-words

SEE ALSO: 21 Best Reinforcement Games for Speech Therapy

Short Sentences or Phrases

Once your child or student has mastered the initial l sound at the word level at about 80% or higher then it’s time to move on to working on the initial l sound at the word and phrase level. 

Here is a list of initial l word phrases:

Initial Words Speech Therapy in Phrases

1 Syllable2 Syllable3 Syllable
lake housewhite llamaleave a legacy
ripe limehot lavalive in luxury
fast lanelazy boyred ladybug
lost shoebad liarlasagna for dinner
love younice ladydancing leotard
like itbeautiful lilystatue of liberty
small lotnew logopublic library
they leftlabel makerlimited on choices
big loftlabor daylocally grown
bent legtall ladderlogical explanation
sweet lambbutterfly larvatasty lollipop
short loglaser beamsing a lullaby
hurt lipbrown lassolaminate the paper
look nowsee you laterlatitude lines
tall lamplatex gloveslongitude lines
broken locklayer my clothesclothes on layaway
falling leafleaky faucetfelt a laziness
sleeping lionlegal paperslethargic feeling
tiny lidlegit excuselikeable person
grassy landlemon juicelopsided pillow
nice ladyfourth levelloveable dog
pretty lacepull the leverlavender smell
don’t be latelilac bushnew lawnmower
science labspeed limitred licorice
sit in her lapliter of sodalimitless options
didn’t lack anythinghotel lobbylowercase letters
laid downuse logicgreen leprechaun
mow the lawnlucky dogbusiness letterhead
last a whilesong lyriclubricate the tire
lead the teamladle the soupbeautiful landscaping
lean on melanded the planeuse the loudspeaker
leap for joytheir lawyerlighthearted time
left footleader of the teamfeeling lightheaded
avoid the licelayoff workers
lend a handlayout of the page
contact lensliving legend
less timecontact lenses
lick the popsicleclean linens
tree limblinger at the door
walk in a linedrink liquids
chain linkdo not litter
lint rollerlittle children
load of laundrylively crowd
loaf of breadliver and onions
loan a pencilpet lizard
sleeping loftlocal animal shelter
long roadlonely person
Froot Looploosen the strings
loud noiselovely night
good lucklumber yard
lump in her throatlactose intolerant
healthy lunglantern glow
latch onlayered cake
laugh out loudpersonal lawsuit
learn everydaylayover in a big city
dog leashleading a team
leave on timeleaking bathtub
like the leastleaning to the side
ledge of a buildingleather jacket
walk with a limpleisure activity
vacation lodgedrivers license
loose stringspace shuttle liftoff
low valleylimeade drink
a sandwich for lunchfootball lineman
lunge at the gymlongest throw
launch the rocketmountain lookout
baseball leaguemany pieces of luggage
fall leavesplay lacrosse
length of a ruleract ladylike
lakeside house
hurricane landfall
black lamppost
smelly landfill
kind landlord
famous landmark
mud landslide
loud laughter
play leapfrog
college lecture
new leggings
have a lifetime
lukewarm water
delicious luncheon
dark lampshade
many lifeguards
brown lifeboat
lifesaver candy
lightning storm
bright lighthouse
lipsync contest
watch the live stream
lunchmeat on a sandwich
school lunchroom
soft loungewear
4 Syllable5 Syllable6 Syllable
legendary timestate of Louisianapolitical liberalization
show leniencyscience laboratory
leukemia cancerit’s a liability
reading literacy
office laminator
old librarian
luxurious furniture
ask the legislator
legitimate question
know your limitation
levelheaded person
power of locomotives
Grab these free articulation pages at the bottom of this post!

Sentence Level: Initial L Words Speech Therapy

Once your child or student has mastered the initial l sound at the word and phrase level you can move on to the sentence level.

You could either give your child or student a sentence to read or show them a picture and have them create a sentence using their target sound.

Here is a list of sentences that you can use with your child or students.

1 Syllable2 Syllable
They own a lake house.The white llama was eating.
The limes were ripe.Lava is hot.
He drove in the fast lane.He is a lazy boy.
She lost her shoe.She was a bad liar.
I love them.She is a nice lady.
He will like it.What a beautiful lily!
They bought a small lot of land.They need a new logo.
They left for school.She has a label maker.
She bought a big loft.We celebrate Labor Day.
He couldn’t bend his leg.That’s a tall ladder.
The lamb was eating grass.Have you seen a butterfly larva?
He burned the short log.That toy has a laser beam.
She hurt her lip.He has a brown lasso.
Look now so you don’t miss it.See you later, alligator!
They put a lamp in her room.The doctor wears latex gloves.
The lock was broken.I layer my clothes when it is cold.
The falling leaf was brown.That is a leaky faucet.
The sleeping lion awoke.That is a legal pad of paper.
She couldn’t find the tiny lid.She had a legit excuse.
The grassy land stretched for miles.I put lemon juice in my water.
She is a very nice lady.Her office is on the fourth level.
That is pretty lace.Pull the lever of the machine.
Please don’t be late today.The lilac bush smells good.
I’m going to skip the science lab today.Drive the speed limit.
She sat in her dad’s lap.Please buy a liter of soda.
They didn’t lack anything.They waited in the hotel lobby.
She laid down on the bed.You need to use logic in math.
Time to mow the lawn.He is a lucky dog.
This concert may last a while.Do you know that song lyric?
Their boss will lead the team.I need a soup ladle.
Lean on me if you are tired.The pilot landed the plane.
When you feel happy, leap for joy!Their lawyer told them to sign the paper.
Step with your left foot.He is the leader of the team.
She tried to avoid the lice at school.They need to layoff some workers.
He offered to lend a hand.Do you like the layout of the page?
I took my contact lens out.He is a living legend.
I have a little less time to do my homework tonight.She wears contact lenses.
Try to lick the popsicle before it melts.My bed has clean linens.
That is a long tree limb.They sometimes linger at the door.
The students walked in a line.Drink lots of liquids.
It is a chain link fence.Do not litter.
Use the lint roller on your clothes.They have many little children.
She started a load of laundry.That is a lively crowd!
He bought a loaf of bread.I don’t like liver and onions.
She asked her to loan a pencil.He wants a pet lizard.
The house had a sleeping loft.Let’s go to the local animal shelter.
They drove down a long road.She is a lonely person.
He ate a Froot Loop.Can you help me loosen the strings?
The truck made a loud noise.It’s a lovely night.
Good luck with your test!The lumber yard was full.
She had a lump in her throat.She is lactose intolerant.
The doctor said she had a healthy lung.I like the lantern glow.
The monkey went to latch on to the branch.I like layered cake.
When it is funny, please laugh out loud.I don’t want a personal lawsuit.
I learn every day.They had a layover in a big city.
Get the dog leash.He is leading a team.
We need to leave on time.leaking bathtub
What food do you like the least?The cake was leaning to the side.
Don’t sit on the ledge of a building.I have a leather jacket.
She was hurt and walked with a limp.Find a leisure activity to do.
They stayed in a lodge on vacation.I have a driver’s license.
I can cut the loose string.The space shuttle lifted off.
We walked through the low valley.I like this limeade drink.
Make a sandwich for lunch.That football lineman is good.
Try to lunge at the gym.He had the longest throw.
Watch as they launch the rocket!What a beautiful mountain lookout!
He played in a baseball league.I had many pieces of luggage.
The fall leaves are beautiful.I like to play lacrosse.
His shoe is the length of a ruler.She needs to act ladylike.
I want a lakeside house.
The hurricane made landfall.
That is a black lamppost.
The landfill is smelly.
He is a kind landlord.
Let’s go to the famous landmark.
Did you see that landslide?
They heard loud laughter.
They like to play leapfrog.
They sat in a college lecture.
She bought new leggings.
We have a lifetime together.
This is lukewarm water.
This is a delicious luncheon.
My lampshade is dark.
There are many lifeguards at the beach.
It is a brown lifeboat.
Eat the lifesaver candy.
It is a lightning storm.
That is a bright lighthouse.
They had a lipsync contest.
Watch the livestream on TV.
I like lunchmeat on my sandwich.
This is a school lunchroom.
She has soft loungewear.
3 Syllable4 Syllable
He wants to leave a legacy.They had a legendary time.
They live in luxury.The teacher showed leniency towards her students.
There is a red ladybug.He has leukemia.
We have lasagna for dinner.Reading helps improve literacy.
She needs a dancing leotard.Use the office laminator.
The Statue of Liberty is big!She is an old librarian.
They visited the public library.This is luxurious furniture.
They were limited on choices.Ask the legislator a question.
This produce is locally grown.That is a legitimate question.
He had a logical explanation.It is good to know your limitations.
It is a tasty lollipop.He is a levelheaded person.
Sing a lullaby to the baby.Locomotives have a lot of power.
Laminate the paper after you print it.
These are latitude lines.
These are longitude lines.
Put these clothes on layaway.
He felt laziness after work.
She was feeling lethargic.
She is a likeable person.
It was a lopsided pillow.
It is a loveable dog.
It smells like lavender.
They have a new lawnmower.
I like red licorice.
She has limitless options.
These are lowercase letters.
It is a green leprechaun.
They have business letterhead.
You need to lubricate the tire.
What beautiful landscaping!
Use the loudspeaker to talk.
They were fun and lighthearted.
She is feeling lightheaded.
5 Syllable6 Syllable
The state of Louisiana is in the south.Let’s talk about the liberalization of agriculture.
Go to the science laboratory.
That is a liability.
initial-l-sentences

Initial L Words Speech Therapy Ideas

Board Games

Who doesn’t love a great board game? 

Using board games is a great way to reinforce a new or difficult skill. 

A few board games that you might want to try for initial l words speech therapy practice are: Sorry!, Pop the Pig, or Jenga.

initial-l-words-with-pictures
Grab these free articulation pages at the bottom of this post!

Boom Cards

Do you have students who love Boom Cards? 

If so here are a few favorite sets to work on the initial l words for speech therapy:

  1. FREEBIE St. Patrick’s Day Articulation Game Boom Cards: Initial L Words by Sparkly Speech Girl – play this fun game with your students as they practice the initial l sound.
  2. Summer Speech Therapy Boom Cards for Articulation Game (Initial /L/ FREE Sample) by Ausome Speech – Practice initial l with this fun game in your classroom.
  3. Boom Cards ™: Flashlight Find Initial /l/ by 2 Beachiespeechies – Use a flashlight to play this fun game.

SEE ALSO: Free Articulation Games for Speech Therapy

Therapy Room

If you’re a speech therapist looking for additional ways to work on your student’s initial l sound here are a few worksheets to get you started. 

  1. Initial /L/ Articulation No Prep Worksheets, Activities, Print and Go by Cat Says Meow – 10 pages of no prep activities to practice initial l.
  2. Freebie! Initial L Unicorn Articulation Worksheet by Everything is Speechie TPT – A fun search and find activity.
  3. Freebie! Initial L Unicorn Articulation Worksheet by Everything is Speechie TPT – No Prep needed for this teletherapy activity.
  4. L Initial Sound by SpeechSF – Worksheets to help your student’s practice the initial L sound.
initial-l-word-list

SEE ALSO: 279+ Free Speech Therapy Digital Materials

Enough Time

Do you ever feel like there isn’t enough time to plan your therapy or to work on your child’s l sound? 

Try these simple worksheets that could take 5 minutes of practice a day.

Here is a list of 5 minute therapy ideas to work on the initial l sound.

  1. Word Webs for Initial L, S, and R by Mrs Paulk’s Products – A fun activity to use around Halloween.
  2. Look Whose /L/ is Popping! Articulation Cut and Paste with Popcorn by World of Speech and Language Resources – Just print and go with this cut paste activity.
  3. Blocked! Freebie: A sentence-level game for Word Initial /l/ by the Crafty Speechie – Another fun game for your students to play as they practice.

In Conclusion: Initial L Words Speech Therapy

We hope you have found this post helpful for working on your child or student’s initial l sound. 

Be sure to grab your freebie of 20 words to start practicing 5 minutes a day!

initial-l-words-worksheet

<< Click Here to Download your Free 20 Initial L Word Lists >>

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Heather

Tuesday 15th of March 2022

I love your use of real pictures! Thank you from a fellow SLP!

Melissa Berg

Tuesday 15th of March 2022

Hi Heather, I'm happy to know you love the use of real pictures in my resources! Wishing you all my best, Melissa

Cindy Hall

Tuesday 15th of March 2022

Your resources are invaluable!!! Thank you!

Melissa Berg

Tuesday 15th of March 2022

Hi Cindy, I'm so incredibly happy to hear that my resources are invaluable! Wishing you all the best, Melissa

Katelyn

Tuesday 15th of March 2022

Looks great!

Melissa Berg

Tuesday 15th of March 2022

Hi Katelyn, I'm so happy to hear that! All my best, Melissa

Comments are closed.